Can't Afford a Super Bowl Ad? Try These Marketing Alternatives Instead [Examples & Expert Tips]
By lbrowning@hubspot.com (Laura M. Browning)
The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles face off on February 9, 2025 (6:30 p.m. ET on Fox, if it’s not on your calendar already).
To get 30 seconds of ad time during the big game, brands coughed up a cool $7 – $8 million per spot. If that’s not in the budget, here are seven Super Bowl ad alternatives that will cost you a lot less.
I’ve also got examples of big brands with particularly creative alternatives to Super Bowl ads, plus tips on using Super Bowl marketing strategies in your own <$7 mil campaigns.
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What Big Brands Do Instead of Buying Super Bowl Ads
In 2021, at least 10 big brands — Budweiser, Coca-Cola, and Pepsi among them — sat out Super Bowl LV and directed their funds elsewhere. Anheuser-Busch, Budweiser’s parent company, donated money toward COVID vaccine efforts.
Here’s how two brands will be celebrating this year’s big game without an official ad spot, an honorable mention, and one iconic alternative ad:
Perdue Chicken: Wingin’ It
On February 9, Perdue will partner with actor/singer/comedian Wayne Brady for a non-Super Bowl Super Bowl ad. Rather than buying a $7 million ad spot, Perdue will feature Brady on Instagram Live throughout the game — expect skits, Q&As, and other comedic bits.
